To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: Last year the IRS and Department of Labor (DOL) extended various ERISA and COBRA deadlines for employee benefit plan participants affected by COVID-19. The extended deadlines included: The timeframe to elect COBRA continued health coverage; The deadline for making COBRA premium payments; Requests for special enrollment in a group health plan under HIPAA; The deadline for filing ERISA benefit claims and appeals; and The deadline for employers to provide certain plan-related notices and disclosures. This relief began March 1, 2020, and was to end 60 days after the government’s announcement of the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency (the “Outbreak Period”). One year later, the COVID-19 National Emergency is still in place, so the Outbreak Period is still in effect.